unipanther99 wrote:http://wcfcourier.com/sports/college/uni/mens_basketball/article_43023da2-2849-11e0-b314-001cc4c002e0.html
"I mean, I had to do what was best for myself and my family," Doug noted. "It would've been tough on me, having to play my dad twice (per year)."
Said Greg McDermott: "I think anybody that doesn't understand the reason (Doug) did what he did doesn't have a clue. Obviously, he had an opportunity to play for his dad in the league he committed to."
Not exactly words of contrition from the McDermotts to the UNI faithful. So playing against Dad one per year is fine, twice would have been tough on the poor fella. And Greg, you don't commit to a league, you commit to a program.
Don't insult our intelligence, we know why this all went down the way it did. A simple statement like, "the timing of my move to Creighton and Doug following put UNI's program in a difficult situation. We're sorry to our friends in Cedar Falls for that, and wish it could have been handled differently." The hard-core fans are never going to forgive, but a statement like that would go a long way toward smoothing things over with the more open minded fans like myself.
Mac had some pretty nice things to say about Cedar Falls, UNI and Jake in the Omaha paper today.
You can nitpick the quote above all you want, but I truly believe that Big Mac didn't think his son would be able to play regularly at the BCS level, especially right away. The fact that Mac wanted to redshirt his son this season at Creighton only reinforces that belief. Before the season, Big Mac told me that he had some concerns about Doug's strength and foot speed. The fact that he underestimated his son's abilities are great for us now, but I never got the impression that Mac was slow-playing his son's talent levels. The "league" comments are relevant in that context.
As to him trying to protect his son in the media, what do you expect? Of course he is going to take up for his son. The only people that wouldn't expect him to do so do not have children of their own. You can't explain parenthood and the corresponding bond to people without children. I know my whole outlook changed when I started having children of my own.
We are truly lucky to have lil Mac (who I have donned "the Quarter Pounder" since his dad is "Big Mac") and I believe he is playing at an all conference level. However, if you go back and look at my posts before the season started, I thought he'd have a hard time finding playing time. The injuries to Casey Harriman and Ethan Wragge opened the door and Doug has taken full advantage of the opportunity.
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